Methods and compositions for administration of iron

A method of treating a disease, disorder, or condition characterized by iron deficiency or dysfunctional iron metabolism resulting in reduced bioavailability of dietary iron, comprising

• administering to a subject in need thereof an iron carbohydrate complex in a single dosage unit of at least about 0.6 grams of elemental iron;
• wherein
• the iron carbohydrate complex is selected from the group consisting of an iron carboxymaltose complex, an iron mannitol complex, an iron polyisomaltose complex, an iron polymaltose complex, an iron sorbitol complex, and an iron polyglucose sorbitol carboxymethyl ether complex;
• the single dosage unit of elemental iron is administered in about 15 minutes or less;
• and
• the iron carbohydrate complex has a substantially non-immunogenic carbohydrate component.